Jackson MS vs Norwalk CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Norwalk
24.0%
Norwalk +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 100,713 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 14.5% | 24.0% | Norwalk + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 21.3% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $765,319 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 32.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA